Kmart's link with Little Caesar pizza chain may be shaken with new Kmart CEO

Oct. 21, 2004

Detroit Free Press: The future of Little Caesar Enterprises Inc.'s relationship with Kmart —already coasting on an expired contract — faces more uncertainty now that the Troy, Mich., retailer is being run by a former Pizza Hut executive.

Both sides say they are still working with each other, despite operating on a contract that expired in 2002. This marks the 13th year the two highly visible Michigan companies have been business partners.

Little Caesar lost about 200 stores during Kmart's bankruptcy, and the retailer now sells its products in 260 stores, the retailer said Thursday. Ilitch Holdings Inc. of Detroit owns the nation's fourth-largest pizza chain. Owner Mike Ilitch reached the agreement in 1991 with then-Kmart CEO Joseph Antonini.